December Music Season: Music goes knocking on seniors’ doors

While rasikas go sabha-hopping, here is a strange case of musicians hopping from one seniors’ shelter to another

In a rare gesture towards seniors living in old-age homes, musicians would be presenting performances by their bed-side. Anandam Old Age Home is gearing up to host the month-long Marghazi Ishai Vizha at its newly-opened auditorium near its campus in Ambattur from December 14.

The Carnatic musicians who have confirmed their participation in Marghazi Ishai Vizha include Lalgudi Vijayalakshmi and GJR Krishnan; Neyveli Santhanagopalan; Gayathri Venkataraghavan; Shubha Ganesan and sons of Maharajapuram Santhanam.

A villupattu performance for two days, a dance recital and a discourse by Cuddalore Gopi are among the other events lined up for seniors. The unexpected A er highlight will be the performance by the seniors who have been learning music at the home for many years.

Bhageerathy Ramamoorthy, managing trustee of the old age home, says hosting musical events through the year including during Navarathri is a regular feature at Anandam, but this is the first time that flavours of the Marghazhi music season are being brought to the residents.

The stage at the auditorium, which can accommodate 150 people on the ground floor and 50 in the balcony, is designed to keep those on the stage closer to the audience. The stage sports paintings of musical instruments from the North and South.

For Anandam, the month-long event serves multiple purpose. Apart from the 100 plus residents from the home, children and their parents from the free special schools that it runs will also get a slice of the fest. “Especially for children with special needs, music is therapy and we want them to enjoy it,” says Bhageerathy.

For seniors who cannot walk to the auditorium, the management is planning to relay the events to the rooms. “We have 15 people who are bedridden in the sick room where we plan to give connection to view the concert,” she says.